‘First look at yourselves, then at others’
Obaidul Quader, general secretary of the ruling Awami League, yesterday urged foreign diplomats not to ruin the friendship by intervening in the country's internal affairs.
"Do not hurt the friendship [between your countries and ours] … We have had bitter experiences in the past -- in 1971 and 1975. But we still want to maintain our cordial relations with you. However, there will be crack in our friendship if you do so [intervene in internal matters]. No one will benefit from that …."
He made the remarks at the first preparatory meeting of the AL's 22nd national council at the party president's Dhanmondi office.
At another event, Abdur Razzak, agriculture minister and AL presidium member, asked the diplomats to refrain from taking sides.
He was addressing a rally organised by Dhaka city (south) AL at Mohanagar Natyamancha.
At the same rally, Quader said, "Delegations of different countries are in Bangladesh. Those who are from friendly nations, [we urge that you] do not take sides. Do not intervene in our internal affairs. We know how to protect our democracy."
Razzak said, "The Canadian court said the BNP is a terrorist group, they can't give shelter to any member of the party in Canada. Meanwhile, an ambassador made a statement about those terrorists yesterday. I am asking the ambassador -- under which diplomatic norms did you make the statement on the internal affairs of a country? You cannot do it and should not in future."
Earlier on Wednesday, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas expressed concerns over reports of intimidation and political violence in the capital and urged the government to respect the rule of law.
Responding to the US envoy's statement, Quader, also the road, transport and bridges, minister, at the council preparatory meeting, said, "The term 'election fraud' is used not only in Bangladesh, it is now being used in America as well. Five people died there. Congress was under attack. We saw how Nancy Pelosi [speaker of the House of Representatives] was hiding.
"At least two mass shootings are taking place every week. Nineteen children were killed in a mass shooting [recently]. You talk about human rights … Police officers [in your country] were held for not providing security at the right time. You are commenting on our court. What about what happens in your country?
He added, "There has been a conspiracy to stage a coup in Germany … The UK prime minister has been changed. We are in a better situation than that. No one needs to interfere. So many things are happening in your countries, we did not interfere there. Two MPs were shot dead in Britain. Look at yourselves before you look at others."
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will not listen to anyone's request. "She is not afraid of anyone but God."